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Opinion

Have Newcastle made a massive mistake?

9 years ago
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Have Newcastle United made a massive mistake – we all know the nightmare Siem de Jong has had with injuries but Luuk de Jong’s season has gone under the radar for Newcastle fans.

Discarded by United after a dismal loan period of zero goals in five months at St.James’ Park last season, I doubt if any Newcastle fans thought it was a bad move.

However, last season PSV finished fourth, ending up 12 points behind Siem de Jong’s Ajax.

In the summer PSV bought only one player as well as a few free transfers, paying around £4.5m for Luuk de Jong.

On Friday night Luuk de Jong scored a hat-trick as PSV won 4-2 at AZ Alkmaar, sending them 15 points clear of second place Ajax and pretty much ensuring they have tied up the league title.

De Jong has scored 19 goals in 30 starts (all competitions) for his new club, nobody has scored more goals in Dutch football this season apart from his teammate Memphis Depay with 21.

It would be a bit far-fetched to say Luuk de Jong’s transfer has been the sole reason for PSV’s massive change in fortune, but as their only major signing, it is hard to get away from him not being the major factor.

After an injury plagued season last year, Newcastle got Siem de Jong on what appeared to be the cheap from Ajax. We all hope he can get himself sorted physically and show what he can do, but I have a sneaking feeling that we have again passed up another potential very good player in his brother Luuk.

Thrown into that dismal chaotic second half of last season, it is maybe little wonder that a player already low on confidence after his Bundesliga experience, then failed in England. The feeling has to be that he is maybe another victim of Alan Pardew, Luuk de Jong looked to lack direction when he did get on the pitch amd Pardew’s negative style of play is always going to make it difficult for attacking players.

Luuk de Jong has returned to the Dutch national squad on the back of his club form and at only 24 he is only starting his career, not forgetting that he was so highly rated that he was transferred to Germany for over £12m as a 21 year old.

When you look at how dismal Emmanuel Riviere has looked for around £5m, especially with the signing of brother Siem you do wonder if only…

Maybe Luuk de Jong will simply add to the list of players who can’t hack it outside their own weaker domestic league but I have a feeling he is a player we may well regret passing up, another one Pardewed!

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